U.S. patent number 6,024,323 [Application Number 09/237,089] was granted by the patent office on 2000-02-15 for dispenser for rolled tissue and the like.
Invention is credited to Anthony Palermo, Jr..
United States Patent |
6,024,323 |
Palermo, Jr. |
February 15, 2000 |
Dispenser for rolled tissue and the like
Abstract
A tissue dispenser comprising a hollow container forms an inner
chamber for housing a roll of tissue. The container comprises two
separable housing components which when separated enable the
insertion of rolled tissue into the chamber and when fitted
together enclose and support the rolled tissue in the chamber. Each
of the housing components are substantially identical. When fitted
together, the housing components define the container walls and
sides to surround the rolled tissue, an aperture through which the
free end of the tissue is passed during dispensing and a spindle on
which the rolled tissue is supported for dispensing. The tissue
dispenser includes releasable mating means to releasably mate one
housing component to the other to form the dispenser assembly.
Inventors: |
Palermo, Jr.; Anthony
(Chesterland, OH) |
Family
ID: |
26753558 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/237,089 |
Filed: |
January 25, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/588.6;
242/596.8; 242/599 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
85/672 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
85/67 (20060101); B65D 85/672 (20060101); B65D
085/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;242/588.6,596.8,588.3,596.2,599,132,137,137.1,138,146 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Walsh; Donald P.
Assistant Examiner: Pham; Minh-Chau
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gurin; Timothy B.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser.
No. 60/072,622 filed Jan. 26, 1998 in the name of Anthony Palermo,
Jr. for Tissue Dispenser.
Claims
Having thus described the preferred embodiment, I claim:
1. A tissue dispenser comprising:
two substantially identical housing components, each of said
components defining an aperture portion and including a spindle
portion, a base portion, and a releasable mating means, said
housing components releasably matable to each other in opposing
relationship.
2. The tissue dispenser of claim 1 wherein the releasable mating
means further comprises a clip portion formed along the periphery
of a side portion of one housing component and a latch portion
formed along the periphery of a side portion of the other housing
component.
3. The tissue dispenser of claim 1 wherein the releasable mating
means further comprises a tongue portion formed along a periphery
of a side portion.
4. The tissue dispenser of claim 3 wherein the tongue portion of
one housing component interferingly fits with the opposing side
portion of the other housing component.
5. The tissue dispenser of claim 1 wherein the releasable mating
means further comprises magnets of opposite polarity fastened to
the opposing ends of the spindle portions.
6. A tissue dispenser comprising a hollow container forming an
inner chamber for housing a roll of tissue, said container
comprising two substantially identical separable housing components
which when separated enable the insertion of rolled tissue into the
chamber and when fitted together enclose and support the rolled
tissue in the chamber, and which define the container walls and
sides to surround the rolled tissue,
an aperture through which the free end of the tissue is passed
during dispensing, and
a spindle on which the rolled tissue is supported for
dispensing.
7. The tissue dispenser of claim 6 wherein the housing components
further define a base generally opposite the aperture.
8. The tissue dispenser of claim 6 further comprising releasable
mating means.
9. The tissue dispenser of claim 8 wherein the releasable mating
means further comprises a clip portion formed along the periphery
of a side portion of one housing component and a latch portion
formed along the periphery of a side portion of the other housing
component.
10. The tissue dispenser of claim 8 wherein the releasable mating
means further comprises a tongue portion formed along a periphery
of a side portion.
11. The tissue dispenser of claim 10 wherein the tongue portion of
one housing component interferingly fits with the opposing side
portion of the other housing component.
12. The tissue dispenser of claim 8 wherein the releasable mating
means further comprises magnets of opposite polarity fastened to
the opposing ends of the spindle portions.
Description
INTRODUCTION
The present invention relates to improved and cost effective
dispensers for rolled toilet tissue and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tissue is typically available in two forms: facial tissue available
in stacked, and commonly interleaved, form packaged in a disposable
box with an outlet in the upper surface of the box; and toilet
tissue available in a continuous strip of perforated sheets in
rolled form. On an individual sheet basis, facial tissue is more
expensive than toilet tissue, in part because of the disposable box
in which the tissue is packaged.
Dispensers for rolled tissue have been suggested in the past.
Commonly, dispensers for rolled tissue are adapted to be securely
mounted to the wall of a bathroom. It has also been shown to
provide a portable dispenser for rolled tissue as an alternative to
the facial tissue box described above.
Wren U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,028 discloses a portable dispenser for
rolled toilet tissue. The Wren dispenser includes a base adapted to
receive a roll in rotatable condition and an outlet structure
comprising a tissue constricting ring through which the tissue is
fed. A bill-like projection extends out from the bottom of the
outlet to assist in breaking the tissue from one another along a
perforation line. A box-like cover fits over the entire assembly to
improve aesthetics.
Pauley U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,452 discloses a bathroom tissue
container wherein an elongate tubular support member includes an
elongate slot therein with a threaded cap securably mounted to the
support member overlying the slot. In a further embodiment, the
Pauley patent discloses a first cylindrical container which
slidingly receives thereover a second cylindrical container. The
first container includes a first container support rod of a length
substantially equal to the axial length of the first container and
the second container. An upper terminal end of the first container
support rod is receivable within a second hollow support rod
axially aligned with and secured to the second cylindrical
container to maintain a roll of tissue therein.
Because of their multiple parts of varying configurations, the
tissue dispensers previously described tend to be expensive to
manufacture and cumbersome to use. The invention of the present
application overcomes these problems and others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a low cost
dispenser for rolled tissue and the like that is easy to use and
aesthetically pleasing.
In accordance with the present invention, a tissue dispenser is
provided. The dispenser comprises a hollow container forming an
inner chamber for housing a roll of tissue. The container includes
two separable housing components which when separated enable the
insertion of rolled tissue into the chamber and when fitted
together enclose and support the rolled tissue in the chamber. Each
of the housing components are substantially identical and thus can
be molded from a single mold. When fitted together, the housing
components define the container walls and sides to surround the
rolled tissue, an aperture through which the free end of the tissue
is passed during dispensing and a spindle on which the rolled
tissue is supported for dispensing.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the
dispenser includes releasable mating means which releasably secures
the housing components together in opposing relationship to form
the hollow container. The housing components can be easily
separated to gain access to the inside of the container to replace
the tissue roll and reassembled without the use of any tools.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the
releasable mating means comprises a clip portion formed along the
periphery of a side portion of one housing component and a latch
portion formed along the periphery of a side portion of the other
housing component. In an alternate configuration of the releasable
mating means, a tongue portion, formed along a periphery of a side
portion of one housing component interferingly fits with the
opposing side portion of the other housing component. The
interference fit between the two components acts to hold the
components together. In yet a third configuration of the releasable
mating means, magnets of opposite polarity are fastened to the
opposing ends of the spindle portions. When the two housing
components are mated together, the magnetic force between the two
magnets acts to hold the components together.
An advantage of the present invention is the low tooling cost to
manufacture the components to form the dispenser. Because the two
housing components that form the dispenser are substantially
identical, they can be molded from a single mold.
A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an
aesthetically pleasing dispenser of lower cost rolled toilet tissue
that is portable and can be used in a variety of locations such as
a bedroom, office or a motor vehicle.
Still further advantages of the present invention will become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and
understanding the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tissue dispenser of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of one of the housing components of the
present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the housing components of the
present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tissue
dispenser of the present invention detailing an embodiment of the
releasable mating means.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tissue
dispenser of the present invention detailing an embodiment of the
releasable mating means.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tissue
dispenser of the present invention detailing an embodiment of the
releasable mating means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular reference to
FIG. 1, a new and improved tissue dispenser is described. The
tissue dispenser apparatus of the present invention is generally
designated by numeral 10. The dispenser 10 is a hollow container
comprised of two substantially identical housing components 12a and
12b which, when fitted together, form a housing assembly 14 and an
inner chamber 16 within which a roll of tissue 17, shown in
phantom, can be supported for dispensing. The housing assembly
defines the container walls 18 and sides 20 to surround the rolled
tissue, an aperture 22 through which the free end of the tissue 23
is passed during dispensing, a spindle 24 (FIGS. 2 and 3) on which
the tissue is supported for dispensing, and a base 26 positioned
generally opposite the aperture.
The housing components 12a and 12b are preferably made of injection
molded polystyrene and can be of any desired color. Other
materials, such as polyethylene or polypropolene can also be used.
Each of the housing components are substantially identical, and
thus can be molded from a single mold. Because only a single mold
is used and since only two substantially identical parts are
required for the assembly, the cost to manufacture and assemble the
tissue dispenser of the present invention is reduced over prior
designs. Moreover, the unique manner in which the molded components
are formed to fit together lend to easy use especially when
replacement of a tissue roll is required. These advantages will be
more fully described below.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, one of the housing components 12a
and 12b is described in more detail. As the housing components 12a
and 12b are substantially identical, only one component will be
described. The following description, however, applies equally to
both components. Each of the housing components comprise a one half
portion of the dispenser and define a rigid wall structure and side
portions. The housing components can be of any convenient shape
although the rounded triangular shape presents a good balance of
aesthetics and stability. One side of the housing comprises a base
portion 26. Molded into the housing component at the base side are
base feet 28 to provide a stable platform for when the dispenser is
placed on a flat surface for use. At the apex of the triangle
opposite the base side, each housing component has a semi-circular
or semi-ellipsoid cutout 30 which defines a portion of the aperture
22. Internal the housing component at a point equidistant from the
side portion is molded a spindle portion 24a defining the center
hub of the housing component. The spindle portion extends outwardly
from the wall 18 a distance slightly less than the width of the
side portions. Three indent portions 32 are molded into the wall 18
symmetrically around the center hub of the housing component. These
indent portions can be of any desired shape (note the different
shapes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and provide structural rigidity to
the side walls and also provide an aesthetically pleasing design.
In each of the indent portions on the exterior of the housing, one
can place decals adding to the design of the dispenser.
Along the peripheral edge of the housing components, means are
provided to releasably mate the two components in opposing
relationship to form the assembled dispenser. Referring to FIGS. 2
and 4, for illustration, the releasable mating means of the
preferred embodiment is shown in more detail. The peripheral edge
on the right side of the component 12a, 12b comprises a tongue
portion 34 which runs along the right side from about the right
edge of the aperture portion 30 down to about the edge of right
foot portion 28. The peripheral edge on the left side of the
component 12a, 12b comprises the left edge of the left side 20.
When two housing components are aligned in opposing relationship,
the tongue portion 34 of one component fits over the edge of side
20 of the opposite component, and vice versa. In this embodiment,
the dimension from the center hub of the housing component to the
internal surface of the tongue portion 34 is sized to create a
clearance fit with the opposite side of the mating component. In
order to hold the two components together in use, a clip and latch
arrangement is provided. About midway along the peripheral edge of
the right side of a component 12a, 12b, a clip portion 35 (shown in
FIG. 4) is provided. The clip portion 35 preferably extends along
the peripheral edge about one inch and, together with the tongue
portion, form a "c" shaped recess. The clip portion also includes a
raised detent 39. In a corresponding location along the peripheral
edge of the left side of a component 12a, 12b, a latch portion 36
is provided. The latch portion includes an indent portion 41. When
two housing components are aligned in opposing relationship, the
latch portion 36 of one component aligns with the "c" shaped recess
and the clip portion 35 of the opposing component, and vice versa.
The "c" shaped recess receives the latch portion allowing the
detent of the clip portion to mate with the indent of the opposite
latch portion. The two components are pressed together to snap one
component to the other to form the dispenser assembly.
In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the releasable mating
means is formed by an interference fit between a tongue portion 38
extending along a peripheral edge of one side of each of the
housing components and the opposite side of the mating component.
As with the clip and latch arrangement described above, the tongue
portion 38 extends along the periphery of one side of each of the
housing components from about the edge of the aperture potion 30
down to about the outer edge of a foot portion 28. The dimension
from the center hub of the housing component to the internal
surface of the tongue portion is sized to create a slight
interference fit with the opposite side portion of the mating
component when the components are fitted together. Thus, when two
housing components are aligned in opposing relationship, the tongue
portion of one component fits snugly with the side portion of the
opposite component, and vice versa. The interference fit between
the two components acts to hold the components together.
In yet another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the releasable mating
means comprises two magnets of opposite polarity 40a and 40b glued
or otherwise fastened to the opposing ends of the spindle portions
24a, 24b. When the two housing components are mated together, the
magnetic force between the two magnets acts to hold the components
together.
Other releasable mating means are contemplated such as Velcro.TM.
fasteners.
In use, a roll of toilet tissue is placed on the spindle of one of
the housing components through the tubular former of the tissue
roll. The free end of the tissue is routed through the aperture
portion 30. The second housing component is placed in opposing
relation to the first assuring that the spindle portion of the
second component fits into the tubular former of the roll. The
components are mated using the releasable mating means. The free
end of the tissue is available for use through the aperture formed
by the two mated components.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred
embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations may occur to
others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed
description. It is intended that the invention be construed as
including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they
come within the scope of the appended claims or their
equivalents.
* * * * *